Coach Jose Riveiro has explained the reasons behind the reduced playing time of Orlando Pirates wingback Thabiso Monyane.
The 22-year-old made a bright start to the season as Riveiro’s preferred starting right wing-back but in the second half of the campaign, Monyane has seen been ploughed by injuries and seen his minutes on the field reduced, featuring just four times since the start of the year.
Riveiro has provided some insight into the speedster's reduced playing time.
"Thabiso [Monyane] is ready to play. He was on the bench if I’m not mistaken in the last two games. But yes, we’ve played Paseka [Mako] on the right. If we play him there it’s because he can play. I don’t think it’s the first time in football history that a left-footed player is playing on the right, I’m not innovating," Riveiro said.
"Thabiso was playing a lot early in the season when we played with two wing-backs. Thabsio and [Deon] Hotto were in those positions most for our games, Shandu as well after the injury,"
"Now we are playing in a different shape and we’re trying to find the players who can help us in every role. Then there are moments also [where] Monyane is coming back from injury. It takes time sometimes to get the proper rhythm to be prepared to player fully.
"He’s a very important player for us and will be very important in the future, very very important player for us. But it’s the same as I said about the youngsters; we need to play them when we are sure they are ready to play and they are fighting for the minutes, and not just throw them on the field and see what happens.
"Yes, Thabiso is doing everything well. In the last game for example, when we changed our shape again, his contribution on the right was crucial for us in order to open the field and threaten in the lateral corridor. So, you’re going to see Thabiso in the future."
The Buccaneers will take on SuperSport United on Saturday.
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